E3 Visa Passport Return: Timelines, Tracking, Pickup & Delivery
Most E-3 visa applicants get their passport back within 2 to 5 business days, but delays happen. Here's how to track your status and when to follow up.
E-3 visa passport return is the last step between your interview and getting back to the U.S.. For most applicants at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, it takes 2 to 5 business days, though the official processing window is up to 15 business days. Backlogs, public holidays, or administrative processing can push timelines beyond that.
If you've got a return flight booked or an employer expecting you to start, the difference between 3 days and 15 matters.
This article covers realistic timelines at each consulate, how to track your application status, the tradeoffs between pickup and delivery, when to follow up if your passport is delayed, and what to verify on your visa stamp before you confirm in your readiness notification - pickup locations can change.
Key Takeaways
- E-3 visa passport return typically takes 2 to 5 business days, though the official window is up to 15 business days.
- Pickup is faster and free. Delivery adds $52 AUD and 2 to 3 business days of courier transit on top of processing time.
- Track your status at ceac.state.gov. Wait for the "Issued" status before committing to non-flexible return flights.
- Check your visa stamp carefully when you receive your passport. Errors are uncommon but much easier to resolve before you leave Australia.
How long does E3 visa passport return take?
The official processing time for E-3 visa passport return is up to 15 business days (approximately three weeks). In practice, most straightforward applications come back well before that, typically within 2 to 5 business days across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth after your E-3 visa interview. Community-reported experiences suggest Sydney tends to be the fastest, with some applicants collecting within 1 to 2 business days.
That said, timelines aren't guaranteed. Several factors can push your E-3 visa passport return beyond the typical window.
Administrative processing is the most significant variable. If your application is flagged for additional review, timelines can extend to weeks or even months. This is uncommon for E-3 applicants, but it does happen and there's no reliable way to speed it up once you're in it.
Consulate workload fluctuates throughout the year. High-demand periods, such as school holidays, end of financial year, and post-policy-change surges, create backlogs that affect everyone in the queue.
Public holidays on both sides pause processing. Australian holidays (ANZAC Day, Melbourne Cup) and U.S. federal holidays don't always align, so it's worth checking both calendars against your expected timeline.
Pickup vs delivery also affects when you actually have your passport in hand. Choosing delivery adds 2 to 3 business days of courier transit on top of processing time. Pickup eliminates that gap entirely.
E3 visa passport pickup vs delivery
At the time of your E-3 visa appointment booking, you'll have selected either in-person pickup or courier delivery. Here's how they compare.
| Pickup | Delivery | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $52 AUD (as of February 2026) |
| Typical time after "Ready" status | Same or next business day | 2–3 additional business days |
| Tracking | Readiness notification email | Courier tracking via US Visa Scheduling |
| Best for | Tight timelines, applicants still in the consulate city | Applicants who've left the city or can't return for collection |
| Risk | Must collect in person (or arrange proxy) | Courier delays, occasional delivery preference errors |
Pickup
Pickup is the faster and more reliable option. Most applicants can collect the same or next business day after receiving a readiness notification from US Visa Scheduling. There's no additional cost, and you eliminate the courier transit variable entirely. If your timeline is tight, pickup is the safer choice.
What to bring: Your readiness notification email (the one from US Visa Scheduling confirming your passport is available) and a valid government-issued photo ID such as your Australian driver's license. Some applicants bring their appointment confirmation and DS-160 printout as backup, though these aren't typically required for collection.
Proxy collection: If you can't collect in person, some consulates allow a family member or trusted person to collect on your behalf with your readiness notification, a signed authorization letter, and their own photo ID. Policies vary by consulate.
Pickup locations by consulate
| Consulate | Next available appointment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Apr 28, 2026 | Confirm exact pickup address in your US Visa Scheduling readiness notification — this has changed in the past. Limited street parking in North Sydney; allow extra time if driving. |
| Melbourne | Mar 5, 2026 | Some automated emails and older web pages still reference the former Swanston Street address, which is no longer in use. |
| Perth | Apr 20, 2026 | — |
Delivery
Courier delivery costs $57 AUD and typically adds 2 to 3 business days of transit time on top of processing. Your passport will be sent to the address you nominated when booking. Once dispatched, you can track it through your US Visa Scheduling account, though tracking updates can lag by 12 to 24 hours.
If you chose pickup but have since left the consulate city, contact US Visa Scheduling on +61 2 7908 7456 to ask whether switching to delivery is possible. This isn't guaranteed, but has been accommodated in some cases.
How to track your E3 visa passport return
What to expect in the first 48 hours
After your interview, your DS-160 application ID works immediately on ceac.state.gov.
Don't be concerned if the status shows "Received" or "Administrative Processing" for the first day or two. Most applications move through the initial stages without issue. There's nothing you need to do during this window except wait.
CEAC status checker
The Consular Electronic Application Center at ceac.state.gov is the primary tool for monitoring your E-3 visa passport return. Use your DS-160 application ID to check. Statuses typically progress in this order:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Received | Your application has been submitted. No action needed. |
| Administrative Processing | Your application is under review. This is a standard stage and does not indicate a problem. Most applications move through it quickly. |
| Issued | Your visa has been approved and is being printed. This is the status to watch for before making travel commitments. |
| Ready | Your passport is available for pickup or has been dispatched for delivery. |
Checking once daily is sufficient. CEAC typically updates overnight U.S. Eastern Time, so checking each morning Australian time captures any changes.
US Visa Scheduling delivery tracking
If you chose courier delivery, log into your US Visa Scheduling account for a tracking number once your passport has been dispatched. Tracking updates can lag by 12 to 24 hours, so don't panic if there's a gap between your "Ready" status and the first courier scan.
Delayed E3 visa passport return: when to follow up
Most E-3 visa passport returns resolve without any follow-up needed. But if yours is taking longer than expected, it helps to know when to wait and when to act. Before contacting anyone, confirm the delay isn't due to a public holiday as Australian and U.S. federal holidays both pause processing, and they don't always align.
| Business days since interview | Status | Suggested action |
| 1-5 | Normal | Check CEAC once daily (mornings AEST). No action needed. |
| 5-7 | Still normal | Continue monitoring. Prepare a follow-up email with your name, DS-160 number, and interview date so you're ready if it goes longer. |
| 7-10 | Longer than typical | Email the consulate with your details. Confirm they have your application and ask if anything is holding it up. |
| 10-15 | Approaching official window | Call US Visa Scheduling on +61 2 7908 7456 for a status update. They may refer you back to waiting, but it creates a record of your inquiry. |
| 15+ | Beyond official window | Follow up with the consulate again by email and phone. Involve an immigration attorney or your employer's immigration counsel. Your employer should be aware of the delay if they aren't already. |
What to verify when your E3 visa passport is returned
Once your passport is back in your hands, there's one more step before you book that return flight.
Check the following:
- Your name: Must match your passport exactly, including middle names
- Date of birth: Must match your passport exactly
- Visa classification: Should read E-3 (or E-3D for dependents)
- Employer name: Must match the employer on your LCA exactly
- Issue and expiry dates: E-3 visas are typically issued for two years
- Number of entries: Should show "M" for multiple entries
- Passport number: Must match the passport the visa is stamped in
If there's an error
Still at the pickup location: Alert staff immediately. Errors can often be corrected on the spot or within hours.
Already left the pickup location: Email the consulate with photos of the stamp and your supporting documents. You may need to return your passport for correction before traveling.
Flight is imminent: Contact an immigration attorney before boarding. Don't travel on an incorrect visa as it can create complications at the U.S. port of entry that are significantly harder to resolve after the fact.
Planning around E3 visa passport return timelines
If you haven't traveled to Australia yet for your interview, it's worth budgeting at least 2 to 3 weeks in Australia from your interview date. That accounts for the typical 2 to 5 business day processing time plus a buffer for delays, and gives you time to collect your passport and fly back.
Return flights: Flexible or refundable fares are worth the premium if you're booking before your interview. Wait for the "Issued" status on CEAC before committing to a fixed return date.
Employer communication: Let your employer know upfront that passport return timelines are variable. Most U.S. employers familiar with the E-3 process understand this, but setting expectations early avoids unnecessary stress on both sides.
If you're already in the U.S. on an E-3 and returning to Australia for a renewal: Factor in the full round trip: flights, interview, passport return, and travel back.
Prepare for your arrival in the U.S.
Once your passport is back with a valid E-3 stamp, you're ready to fly. When you arrive in the U.S., your authorized period of stay will be set by your I-94 record at the port of entry, not by the dates on your visa stamp. You can check your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov after arrival.
Frequently asked questions
How long does E-3 visa passport return take?
Typically 2 to 5 business days at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, though the official window is up to 15 business days. Administrative processing, consulate workload, and public holidays can push timelines beyond the typical range.
Can I expedite E-3 visa passport return if I have an urgent travel need?
There's no standard expedited track for nonimmigrant visa passport return, but consulates have discretion in documented emergencies. Contact them directly and explain the circumstances. Choosing in-person pickup rather than delivery is the most reliable way to get your passport back quickly once it's ready.
My CEAC status has been on "Administrative Processing" for two weeks. What does that mean?
It means your application is still under review. It's a standard stage and doesn't mean you've been denied. If it's been more than 10 business days, email the consulate. At 15+ days, call US Visa Scheduling. At 20+ days with no response, involve an immigration attorney.
Can someone else collect my passport from the pickup location?
Policies vary by consulate. Some allow a family member or trusted person to collect with your readiness notification, a signed authorization letter, and their own photo ID. Confirm directly with your consulate before arranging this.
Do I need to be in Australia when my passport is ready, or can I have it forwarded?
If you chose courier delivery, it'll go to the address you nominated when booking. If you chose pickup but have since left the city, contact US Visa Scheduling on +61 2 7908 7456 to ask about switching to delivery. It's not guaranteed but has been accommodated in some cases.
Can I travel internationally on my current valid E-3 while waiting for my new visa?
If your current E-3 stamp is still valid and for the same employer and role, you can travel and re-enter the US on it. Your authorized period of stay is governed by your I-94, not the visa stamp. Confirm your I-94 end date at i94.cbp.dhs.gov before making any travel plans.
About the Author
Founder & CEO @ Migrate Mate
I moved from Australia to the United States in 2023. I have had 3 jobs, and 3 different visas. I started Migrate Mate to help people like me find their dream job in the USA & help them get visa sponsorship.
